You're invited to the city hall open house on Saturday

You're invited to the city hall open house on Saturday

Neighbors grab your coats, your hats, your kids - and get on down to the city's Open House this Saturday.

This is the third year the city has hosted an open house event.

During the event folks can learn about city resources, meet local elected officials, ask questions and offer ideas on things you think can be improved throughout the city.

The open house runs from 10-2:00p.m., at 601 5th Ave.

Here's what organizers say you can expect if you're planning to come:

  • Tours of the Mayor's Office and City Council Offices
  • Q&A session with the mayor
  • Workshops on the legislative process and interpreting credit reports
  • Tabling by City departments and the City Attorney's Office
  • Live music
  • A farmer's market

Anyone and everyone is invited to stop by and check it out.

15-year old critically injured in Rainier Beach shooting; suspects at-large

15-year old critically injured in Rainier Beach shooting; suspects at-large

Police say a 15-year old was critically injured Thursday when he and another man were shot shot near the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and South Fisher Place in Rainier Beach.

According to Seattle Police Department spokesman Jeff Kappel, the teenager was hit in the torso but managed to stumble into the adjacent gas station parking lot at Safeway, where he collapsed.

"SFD medics responded to the scene and transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) with life-threatening injuries," said Kappel. "Sometime later a second victim, a 29-year-old male, showed up at HMC with gunshot wounds to the back."

A subsequent manhunt was unsuccessful and the suspects remain at large.
 

School board enrollment plan includes portables and boundary changes

School board enrollment plan includes portables and boundary changes

With a 7-0 vote Wednesday evening, the Seattle School Board approved what it's calling a "short term" solution to address the district's growing enrollment.

According to the board, the plan includes:

Teen practicing in Mt. Baker wins award for dedication to rowing

Teen practicing in Mt. Baker wins award for dedication to rowing

Next month, Renton teen Kenneth Muhammad, who commutes nearly three hours round trip after school each day to rowing practice at Mt. Baker Rowing & Sailing Center, will receive the Champion Award at the Fourth Annual Row to the Future Benefit Breakfast in Seattle.

"Kenneth is receiving the award for his dedication and commitment to the sport of rowing," said Jessica Cothran, spokesperson for the George Pocock Rowing Foundation. "As a very eloquent young man, he regularly speaks to the community about his love for the sport and how it impacted his life."

She added that, as an African American in a sport with traditionally little racial diversity, Kenneth knows what it is like to appear different. Yet, after four years of rowing, he has developed strong and lasting friendships with his teammates and is a leader in the boathouse and in the Row to the Future program. He changed schools several times during high school and each move brought new teachers, new classes and new friends. But not once did he lose his connection to rowing and his teammates.

"I’d like to go to college next year and maybe become an Olympic rower," said Kenneth. "Win some gold.

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Man stabbed in violent Seward Park area street robbery

Man stabbed in violent Seward Park area street robbery

A man was injured Tuesday afternoon when police say he was attacked while walking near 50th Avenue South and South Hudson Street in the Seward Park neighborhood of Southeast Seattle.

It was just before 2 pm when the 23-year old man was robbed and stabbed multiple times in the 4900 block of 50th Avenue South.

"The victim was thrown to the ground and the suspect stood over him, jabbing a kitchen knife at the victim while demanding his wallet," wrote Seattle Police Department pokesman Jeff Kappel.

He said the victim sustained puncture and slash wounds to his face, neck and torso before pushing the suspect away.

The suspect fled on foot, but was ultimately arrested during a search of the area.

The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 22-year-old male suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Robbery and Investigation of Assault.
 

City looking for storm-response stories from people with disabilities

City looking for storm-response stories from people with disabilities

Last week’s snow storm was challenging for drives, homeowners, parents and everyone else trying to manage day-to-day activities, but the challenges can be even more difficult for people with disabilities.

The city wants to know how people with disabilities coped during the storm, says the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities, which has a group working on the City’s emergency planning and disaster management and response.

The commission is looking for recent weather-related experiences from people with disabilities, on topics including:

What happened to you during our recent week of snow and ice, as you tried to deal with the weather and all its challenges?

Did you use City information resources?  Were they helpful?

Is there anything the City could have done better?

What went well, what needs improvement? 

Were you – and your neighborhood - prepared?

The commission says it will work with city staff on the issues and feedback, to help improve the way the city assists the community.

Columbia City Gallery presents two new exhibits

Columbia City Gallery presents two new exhibits

This week, Columbia City Gallery presents two new exhibits.

"Things We Don't Know" and "Lights, Camera, Action" will run Wed., Jan. 25 through March 11.

In the Main Gallery, Dianne Bradley and Jim Madara present new work with "Things We Don't Know".

Meanwhile, in the Guest Gallery is "Lights, Camera, Action", photographs that explore drawing and painting with light by students at the Children's Institute for Learning Differences, a school that provides innovative programs for children with special needs.

The artists’ reception – free and open to the public – is planned for Sat., Jan. 28, from 5 to 8 pm at the Columbia City Gallery (4864 Rainier Ave. S.).